Agatha Christie and Archaeology

The world-renowned mystery author Agatha Christie had another face besides that of a writer. She was the wife of Professor Mallowan who directed the excavation at Tell Arpachiyah. One could say that if not for her presence during the excavation of archaeological sites in West Asia in the early 20th century, she might have not produced her famous novels such as “Murder on the Orient Express” and the archaeological results could have been lesser.

At first glance, her interest in archaeology seems to originate through her journey to the Middle East. However, it actually started much earlier in childhood. She accompanied Mallowan on several excavation seasons from 1930 to 1958 at Ur, Nineveh, Tell Arpachiyah, Chagar Bazar, Tell Brak and Nimrud. Christie’s works that are set in the Middle East are clearly inspired by her journey to these ancient settlements Thompson, Laura. Agatha Christie: An English Mystery. Headline Review, 2007.

Her observation of archaeology and the people who participated in it was very sharp. In Agatha Christie’s words in her book Come, tell me how you live (1999): “Palace, a Temple, Royal burial appear in newspapers in headlines, are lectured about, shown on screens, everybody hears of them! Yet I think to one engaged in digging, the real interest is in everyday life—the life of the potter, the farmer, the toolmaker, the expert cutter of animal seals and amulets.” This truly captures the real essence of archaeology Christie-Mallowan, A., 1999. Come, tell me how you live. An archaeological memoir. London: HarperCollins Publishers. . During the exhibition “Agatha Christie and Archaeology: Mystery in Mesopotamia” at the British Museum that showed until 24 March 2002, Colin Martin mentions the essence of archaeological methods present in criminal detection in Christie’s books. Identification of clues, placing them together in a logical sequence, and interpreting the meaning of the sequence is a common practice done in archaeological research as well as in criminal detectionMartin, Colin. “Mystery at the Museum.” The Lancet (British edition) 359.9306 (2002): 634–634. Web..

Aside from Agatha Christie's face as the Queen of Mystery, she and other early archaeologists’ wives should also be receiving credit for their integral role in excavations and recording. Many great achievements in archaeological history made by male archaeologists are taught in schools and textbooks. However, it is often unacknowledged that they depended on their wives’ contribution as well Norma Dever. “They Also Dug! Archaeologist's Wives and Their Stories.” Near Eastern Archaeology, vol. 67, no. 3, 2004, pp. 162. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/4132378. .

For example, Lady Hilda Petrie, wife of famous Egyptologist Sir Flinders Petrie made a huge contribution to the archaeological expedition through her labor. Hilda’s husband is famous for his pioneer work in systematic archaeology methodology which archaeologists still use to this day, such as linking pottery styles to periods of time. On the other hand, how many archaeologists know Hilda’s role as chief manager of Petrie’s excavation? Her work extended to drawing many plates and plans for publication under Sir Flinders Petrie’s name, paying hundreds of workers at Abydos and other Egyptian sites, and copying two thousand signs at Dendereh cemetery Norma Dever. “They Also Dug! Archaeologist's Wives and Their Stories.” Near Eastern Archaeology, vol. 67, no. 3, 2004, pp. 163. JSTOR. . Lady Hilda Petrie’s work and dedication is acknowledged in Sir Flinders Petrie’s book “Seventy Years in Archaeology”. Agatha Christie also contributed largely to Professor Mallowan’s achievement in Near Eastern Archaeology. While she spent her time with her husband in Syria and Iraq for the excavation season, she simultaneously washed pottery, took photographs and worked on her mystery novel. During the Chagar Bazar expedition, Christie was also responsible for food and cooking to support the archaeologist and workers on the field Norma Dever. “They Also Dug! Archaeologist's Wives and Their Stories.” Near Eastern Archaeology, vol. 67, no. 3, 2004, pp. 162-163. JSTOR. .

It is still assumed that wives of early archaeologists were there only to accompany their husband and their project. Hilda Petrie and Agatha Christie’s presence was an incredible contribution that often goes unnoticed and unacknowledged. Nevertheless, more credit and spotlight have been given to the wives of early archaeologists and female archaeologists in recent time